Outside the Box - Thinking Ahead

What will this Blog Post be About? Take some time today to think with me. We here in Middle Georgia continually hear about the need for new Jobs, new Opportunities and new Construction.

Outside of former Senator Sam Nunn, that last real Statesman we had in the Middle Georgia who really accomplished major changes was the Honorable Carl Vinson of the United States Congress. We all know his accomplishments which included the drastic changes to the village of Wellston, Georgia. Warner Robins Air Force Base and the City of Warner Robins owe their orgins to to the Honorable Carl Vinson. He was certainly a Statesman at the Local Level, the State Level, the National Level and well regarded in the International Arena. Today we have a Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier bearing his honorable name. This great warship is capable of projecting the most powerful and positive image of our United States of America in any area of the World.

All of the above stated to allow you to consider the potential of a new and improved I-75/I-16 Interstate Exchange here in Macon, Georgia. As you know I recently posted a Blog Entry about this project which is the subject of much distain among some local civic leaders, some well meaning movers and shakers, as well as some duly elected officials in the City of Macon.

What a shame!!! Here we have the golden opportunity to receive major infrastructure improvements which may well propel Macon and the balance of Middle Georgia in to a Tier One City in the Great State of Georgia.

We all know of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the Southside of Atlanta, Georgia. Most of us know that it is the World's most busy airport in terms of passengers and the number of flights. What you may not know is that way back in the 1950s and 1960s that two cities in the Southeast had the opportunity to gain International Status with the enhancement of an Airport. In addition to Atlanta, Georgia I have heard that the City of Birmingham, Alabama essentially turned down the opportunity to have this new larger Airport. I have heard that the City Father's of Birmingham determined that a larger Airport in Birmingham was not appropriate. Well I do not need to tell you the rest of that Story. Atlanta is now viewed as an International City as well as the economic engine of the new South. In fact they even achieved the distinction of hosting as an Olympic Games in the Summer of 1996. I do not believe that would have happened had the City Fathers of Atlanta had not reached some decisions way back in the 1950s and the 1960s that allowed the City of Atlanta to grow.

Why do you need to know this history, you may be asking!!! Simple!!!! Atlanta and other areas of North Georgia have a major water problem. The demographic shifts currently underway in our great United States clearly displays the fact that a lot of Citizens desire to live in the South. In fact Citizens who previously thought that the State of Florida was the ultimate mecca are now relocating to South Georgia.

If we allow the infrastructure of the I-75/I-16 Interstate Interchange to be constructed we in Middle Georgia will be poised to take advantage of the growth that is destined for our State. A second Georgia Airport could be constructed in our Middle Georgia. After all we have a plentiful water supply. Such an airport would best serve a lot of citizens in the East, West and South Georgia Areas. Such an airport would also bring in more industries to Middle Georgia. But before an Airport can be developed I am confident that the appropriate planners will look at our land transport infrastructure.

Additionally a Middle Georgia Airport capable of handling major Airliners would be a boon to our U. S. Army currently operating at Fort Benning. In a time of crisis, the Civilian Contract Airliners could transport our Nation's Best to any area of the World if we only had a major airport to handle the big planes.

In addition to the Galaxy and Globemaster III U. S. Air Force Aircraft that could operate from Warner Robins these Civilian Contract Airliners could operate from our New Middle Georgia Airport if it is constructed with the appropriate runways. Additionally CAP Aircraft from our U. S. Air Force and U. S. Navy could operate out of Warner Robins Air Force Base to provide appropriate and adequate security for these Civilian Contract airliners as they engage in transport of our Nation's Best.

All of the above stated to clearly point out that all of us, duly elected leaders and civic leaders must think outside of the Box and strive for the appropriate and also adequate infrastructure to allow Middle Georgia to reach the full potential that all of us certainly deserve.

Think with me for a moment and engage your mind to consider how the City Fathers in Birmingham now can look back on the folly of the choices made by their former City Fathers of the 1950s and 1960s time frame.

Do you, our elected leaders here in Middle Georgia, the City Council of Macon, Georgia and the Bibb County Commissioners want to be viewed by the future generations as those City Fathers and City Mothers, Duly Elected Leaders of other Governmental Agencies and Civic Leaders who looked at the opportunity to allow Middle Georgia to grow and rejected that same opportunity.

If you are so inclined to deny this golden opportunity and look with distain and yes, even contempt toward an appropriate I-75/I-16 Interchange that looks to the future; maybe you should seriously consider moving to Birmingham, Alabama.

After all, I know that all of us want a prosperous Middle Georgia for our Grandchildren and the rest of the future citizens of Middle Georgia. Growth will come, that is certain, but will it happen in another area of Middle Georgia. That is the question that only you can answer. We deserve much better than what we currently have. The future can be bright, but not if you continue to install low wattage light bulbs. I urge you to go for the best!!!! Thank You!!!